Car-coupling



2' Sheets-Sheet 1.

Patented June 12,1883.

GAR COUPLING.

I. L. STOVER.

(No ModeL) WITNESSES N. PETERS. Pholo-Lnhd npher. wahin tom D. c.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I. L. S'TOVER.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR Patented June 12,1883.

OAR COUPLING.

[WITNESSES a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC L. STOVER, OF OENTRALIA, ILLINOIS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,201, dated June 12, 1883.

Application filed April 9, I883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ISAAC L. STovER, a cititen of the United States, residing at Centralia, in the county of Marion and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Car-Coupling, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying draw- 'ings.

This invention relates to car-couplings of that class which are provided with spring-actuated arrow-headed coupling-latches that automatically effect an engagement, and can be uncoupled without going between the cars.

The invention has for its object to provide a simpie coupling mechanism that can be operated with convenience, and will possess superior efficiency in the performance of its functions.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the end of a car equipped with my improved coupling. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the same. Fig. 3 is an end view. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view in detail, taken longitudinally. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view in detail, taken through the brace plate in rear of the bumpers. Fig. 6 is a detail transverse sectional view taken through the slot in the rear end of the bumpers, on a vertical plane. Fig. 7 is a detail view, in perspective, of the bumpers of a car, with their connecting and coupling mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the end of a car, which is provided on its bottom with parallel beams B B, having friction-plates O on their inner faces. D is the buffer or bumper, which is arranged to slide between the beams B B, and is provided at its front end with lateral heads or extensions E E which come against the front ends of the said beams B B and limit the backward movement of the bumper. The latter is retained in position by means of a transverse bolt, F, passing through the beams B B, and through a transverse longitudinallydisposed slot, G, in the rear end of the bumper, so that the same has its movement on the said bolt. A cross-piece, H, extending from one beam to the other,- supports the front end of the bumper, and from the rear end of the latter extends a drag-bar, I, that is supported and braced by a transverse plate or block, J,.through which ment of the plate J is prevented by means "bf transverse bolts N N, which pass through the beams B B and through the said plate.

On the bar I, between the rear end of the bumper and the plate J, is arranged a coiled spring, 0, loosely encircling the said bar or rod 1, the function of which spring is to break the shock when the bump er is driven back between the beams B B. when'the cars come together in coupling, by being compressed between the rear screw-threaded rear end, B, of the rod, which spring is compressed between the said nut and the plate J to break the shock in starting. By removing thesaid nut the springs can be removed, and the bumper can be withdrawn from between the beams B B.

S is the coupling-hook, which is pivoted in a recess, T, in the front part of the bumper, and is provided with an arrow-shapedhead, U, and with an extension, V, in rear of its pivot IV, that engages a shoulder, X, in the bottom of the rear end of the recess Tto limit downward movement of the arrow-head. This extension V is provided with a fiat spring, Y, that comes against the shoulder X to break the shock. A flat spring, Z, is secured at the rear end of the bumper, and projects forward from the same, so that its front end, A bears 011 the hook S, in front of its pivot IV, to force the same down and retain it in engagement with the correout of engagement with the hook of the adj oining car. Theselevers are fulerumed under the beams B B, and pivotally connected to the under side of the hook S, in rear of its pivot, as shown at 0 while their outer ends are adj ustable in a rack, D arranged on the end of the car.

The operation and advantages of my invention are obvious. It is simple and efficient, and will infallibly and automatically effect the coupling, while it can be easily uncoupled or examined when desired.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, with the parallel beams B B, of the buffer or bumper arranged to slide between the same against an elastic cushion,

and carrying a pivoted coupling-hook, said bumper being provided with lateral heads or extensions E E at its front end, that come against the front ends of the beams B B tolimit movement of the bumper, as set forth.

2. The combination of the beams B B, the bumper arranged to slide between the same, and having the transverse slot Gr, and the stem or drag-bar I, the bolt F, passing through the beams B B and the slot G, the fixed plate J, having a perforation for the bar I, and secured between the beams B B, in rearof the bumper, by means of eross-bolts N N, the coiled spring arranged on the bar I between the end of the bumper and the plate J, the coiled spring arranged on the bar I between the plate J and the nut Q, and the nut Q, adjusted on the screw-threaded end of the bar I, as set forth.

3. The combination of the beams B B, the bumper arranged to slide between the same, and provided with the drag-bar I, the blocks M M, secured to the beams B B, and having the vertical grooves L L, the plate J, arranged in the grooves, and having the perforation for the bar I, the cross-bolts N N, passing through the beams B B and the plate J, the coiled springs O and I and the nut Q, as set forth.

4. The combination of the beams B B, the bumper arranged to slide between the same, and provided with a recess, T, in its front end, having a shoulder, X, the coupling-hook pivoted in the said recess, and having the extension V, provided with the spring Y, that engages the shoulder X, the spring Z, secured to the sliding bumper, and bearing on the coup ling-hook, and the operating-levers connected to the coupling-hook and fulcrumed on the fixed beams B B, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ISAAC L. STOVER.

\Vitnesses:

B. F. HUFF, J OHN N. HUEY. 

